Granger: Starter or 6th man?

[JimmyBuckets89]

Adding Granger to a nucleus that already was on the brink of taking Miami out of the playoffs will be more difficult than expected IMO. I'm a Bulls fan and not sure if this question has been raised on here yet, but I feel the Pacers would be better off continuing with Stephenson at the 2 and bringing Granger in to run the second unit with Scola and company. The only thing that kept Indiana from knocking Miami out last year was the bench play and damn was that addressed this offseason. Having Granger, Scola, Watson, Copeland come in as the second unit is going to be huge and most definitely could add to a lead if not take one when called upon. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this. Would Granger even accept the role of 6th man? Would he be near as productive coming off the bench? Give me some insight.

[Jake0890]

I don't think Danny would have any problem accepting a 6th man role, and that's where I really think he should be. I like a Lance-George starting combo more fit-wise than George-Granger mostly because I feel George is best at SF, not SG.

[laydo]

I think Granger may be the starter but with limit time to play. About 20 to 25 minutes, I guess. His situation is like David West two seasons ago, when he came to Indiana.

Granger is with good shooting range, which can creat larger spacing that helps low post player when West and Hibbert is on the court.

On the other hand, Stephenson likes to dribble and runs coast to coast right after he crabs the rebound and tend to dirve into the paint when playing half court. His style may fit with the 2nd unit, Scola, Watson, Copeland, and Mahinmi, who have good mid-range shooting.

Anyway, I believe that Frank Vogel will find the best line-up.

[mizzoupacers]

If he's healthy, he starts. No-brainer. I like Stephenson, but a lot of people seem to have forgotten how good Granger is.

[F40]

If he's healthy, he starts. No-brainer. I like Stephenson, but a lot of people seem to have forgotten how good Granger is.

He's not really good at all. Don't be shocked when the season starts.

[Miller4ever]

In Granger's peak year, he was not only putting up 25 ppg, he was doing it with excellent efficiency. Also, his utility on the defensive end has been quite good for our team. He's no lockdown man defender like George, but he plays defense quite well. That said, he doesn't have enough creativity with the ball to be an all-around dangerous scorer, but he could get his shot from anywhere on the floor.

We don't know how well he's going to play coming back, but I think if he plays at 60% of his peak, he absolutely deserves to start.

I think Lance has been sold that he could be our Ginobili, and Granger is also prepared to hand over the reins on this team. So either way, I don't actually give two **** who starts.

[Wizop]

I'm convinced the question assumes something false which is that the starters are all going to play 36 or so minutes and that five different reserves are each going to get 12 minutes. Granger, Stephenson, and PGeorge, if healthy, are all going to get big minutes and there will be times when each possible combination of two of the three will be on the floor together. which combination plays the first 6 minutes of most games is not a burning issue except as it impacts players' confidence. the hope is we'll be far enough ahead in most games that the combination on the floor in the final minutes isn't an issue either as we'll be into garbage time.

a much tougher question is how are they going to find minutes for OJ, Solo and Cope apart from garbage time with such a good three man rotation on the wing. were I coaching I'd try to find places to get them into the game in the 2nd quarter even if the score is close.

[EuroPacer]

I'd prefer Granger coming off the bench at the beginning of the season, but over the whole season I don't really care who starts. The first 8/9 are now so deep that bench production is bound to be strong. Before the Scola trade I had Granger as a lock for the sixth man, now I think it all depends on the opposition.

All this is great, it makes us a much more intimidating opponent offensively, if we keep up the D the way we have done, there are few teams that will be able to match that. I really do hope there are no big injuries though, losing Hibbert, West or Granger for a long time this season will put us in a tough spot.

[Scoot McGroot]

If we plan on a hockey style substitution system (5 men in, 5 men out), then we'd have to start Danny and play Lance with the 2nd.

Either way, I'm just not concerned. It'll work it's way out. I have confidence in Vogel's ability to blend him back in, and to motivate everyone with a competitive mindset to achieve and to not worry who's starting and who isn't.

[8305]

I'm convinced the question assumes something false which is that the starters are all going to play 36 or so minutes and that five different reserves are each going to get 12 minutes. Granger, Stephenson, and PGeorge, if healthy, are all going to get big minutes and there will be times when each possible combination of two of the three will be on the floor together. which combination plays the first 6 minutes of most games is not a burning issue except as it impacts players' confidence. the hope is we'll be far enough ahead in most games that the combination on the floor in the final minutes isn't an issue either as we'll be into garbage time.

a much tougher question is how are they going to find minutes for OJ, Solo and Cope apart from garbage time with such a good three man rotation on the wing. were I coaching I'd try to find places to get them into the game in the 2nd quarter even if the score is close.

I don't see any way all three get minutes. Who starts (Lance or Danny) could impact which of OJ, Solo or Cope gets those few minutes that appear to be available. I wouldn't think you would want Danny and Cope running the wing positions at the same time same for Lance and OJ.

If a small ball line up gets meaningful time when the reserves are on the floor (Scola at the 5) that would appear to create some opportunity for the OJ, Solo, Cope group.

[8305]

I'm convinced the question assumes something false which is that the starters are all going to play 36 or so minutes and that five different reserves are each going to get 12 minutes. Granger, Stephenson, and PGeorge, if healthy, are all going to get big minutes and there will be times when each possible combination of two of the three will be on the floor together. which combination plays the first 6 minutes of most games is not a burning issue except as it impacts players' confidence. the hope is we'll be far enough ahead in most games that the combination on the floor in the final minutes isn't an issue either as we'll be into garbage time.

a much tougher question is how are they going to find minutes for OJ, Solo and Cope apart from garbage time with such a good three man rotation on the wing. were I coaching I'd try to find places to get them into the game in the 2nd quarter even if the score is close.

I don't see any way all three get minutes. Who starts (Lance or Danny) could impact which of OJ, Solo or Cope gets those few minutes that appear to be available. I wouldn't think you would want Danny and Cope running the wing positions at the same time same for Lance and OJ.

If a small ball line up gets meaningful time when the reserves are on the floor (Scola at the 5) that would appear to create some opportunity for the OJ, Solo, Cope group.

[Wizop]

I don't see any way all three get minutes.

and I don't see any way any of the three average less than 24 minutes a game unless of course one is injured. November minutes won't count as Danny could ease back into the rotation.

I wouldn't think you would want Danny and Cope running the wing positions at the same time same for Lance and OJ

are you saying that combinations like OJ and Danny, OJ and Cope, Lance and Danny, and Lance and Cope are ones I wouldn't like? I hope not.

now if you are saying you wouldn't expect to see Danny and Cope on the floor together as both are really forwards and you wouldn't expect to see Lance and OJ on the floor together as both are really guards, now that I'd agree with ... putting aside situations where the opponent plays a strange lineup and we need to match up.

all of that aside though I expect to see Lance and Paul, Lance and Danny, and Danny and Paul together a lot. that's why I expect all three to get big minutes. it is also why I think it may be hard for OJ and Cope to get minutes. I just don't anticipate the hockey substitution scheme this year because I think Danny and Lance are both too good to make that a good plan ... now if Danny is a shadow of his former self, then all bets are off.

[DWCP2]

Granger is gonna be playing for his last contract. I say he starts at SF, putting George at SG.

There really shouldn't be much of a difference between whether George plays at one wing for the other, but playing at SG gives him a better window against many of the SG's in the East not named D-Wade

Plus if his game takes a huge rise up, George could steal the All-Star spot away from D-Wade vs. a LeBron or a Carmelo.

[mikepacernation]

Granger is gonna be playing for his last contract. I say he starts at SF, putting George at SG.

There really shouldn't be much of a difference between whether George plays at one wing for the other, but playing at SG gives him a better window against many of the SG's in the East not named D-Wade

Plus if his game takes a huge rise up, George could steal the All-Star spot away from D-Wade vs. a LeBron or a Carmelo.

I would love for PG to steal wades spot but its a popularity contest so I don't think he will take wades spot unfortunately...

[23artest23]

I'm not set in my choice either way but at the moment, I feel like Lance should start. DG is better equipped to be an offensive weapon off the bench than Lance is. Lance also earned his opportunity to start this year IMO and if Danny is to start, he needs prove he fits in better as a starter and contribute more than Lance. DG has definitely put work in for the franchise and it is not that he isn't deserving of starting. For me, it is that he was out as our team made the progress they did and he should have to work his way back into the starting fold. Lance stepped up as the new starter on what turned out to be the best Pacer team in recent years and thus I feel anyone who takes his spot should earn it.

[23artest23]

I suppose it also depends on how you view Danny in relation to the franchise. If it were Kobe and the Lakers, obviously you can't bench him because Lance did a good job in his absence. I like Danny but I don't view him in that same vein that I used to view him. Probably because PG and Roy have become all-stars.

[8305]

I don't see any way all three get minutes.

and I don't see any way any of the three average less than 24 minutes a game unless of course one is injured. November minutes won't count as Danny could ease back into the rotation.

I wouldn't think you would want Danny and Cope running the wing positions at the same time same for Lance and OJ

are you saying that combinations like OJ and Danny, OJ and Cope, Lance and Danny, and Lance and Cope are ones I wouldn't like? I hope not.

now if you are saying you wouldn't expect to see Danny and Cope on the floor together as both are really forwards and you wouldn't expect to see Lance and OJ on the floor together as both are really guards, now that I'd agree with ... putting aside situations where the opponent plays a strange lineup and we need to match up.

all of that aside though I expect to see Lance and Paul, Lance and Danny, and Danny and Paul together a lot. that's why I expect all three to get big minutes. it is also why I think it may be hard for OJ and Cope to get minutes. I just don't anticipate the hockey substitution scheme this year because I think Danny and Lance are both too good to make that a good plan ... now if Danny is a shadow of his former self, then all bets are off.

I think we are pretty much saying the same thing. The minute squeeze will hit Solo, Cope and OJ.

As to the immediate question I expect Lance to start. I think he's a better fit with the other four starters. I'd also expect him to be ready on day one. I'd be surprised if Danny is back to form before December or January.

[Wizop]

I think we are pretty much saying the same thing. The minute squeeze will hit Solo, Cope and OJ.

yes

As to the immediate question I expect Lance to start. I think he's a better fit with the other four starters. I'd also expect him to be ready on day one. I'd be surprised if Danny is back to form before December or January.

if Danny is eased in, the question is deferred for several months and the squeeze on Solo, Cope, and OJ will also be deferred. if Danny is ready to go immediately, the squeeze will be on no matter whether Danny or Lance gets the first six minutes. once we start the 3 man rotation on the wings, I really don't think it matters who starts.

[MNPacersfan]

Isn't anyone concerned that a starting unit with both George and Granger leaves you with only 1 able ball handler?

If I'm defending I force Hill to pass as early as possible and then use doubles to work over anyone else that's trying dribble since no one else can...

[Scoot McGroot]

Isn't anyone concerned that a starting unit with both George and Granger leaves you with only 1 able ball handler?

If I'm defending I force Hill to pass as early as possible and then use doubles to work over anyone else that's trying dribble since no one else can...

Well, if you start Lance, you only have one ball handler on the bench in Watson. Lance would give you a 2nd handler off the bench, while you'd still have Hill and PG24 starting, regardless.